Hackney council cyber attack

[OllietheOwl]

Anyone else’s sale being held up by this absolute shit show? Hackney Council had a cyber attack in October and have been unable to provide any land searches since then. They don’t expect to be able to do these until the end of March (conveniently coincisdes with the end of the stamp duty freeze) and even then there’s a huge backlog to process.
We’re currently selling our house and everything is now at risk after months of searching, paying solicitors fees etc. I’m fuming!!

Yes, buying and selling so affected both sides

My buyers and I are looking at no search indemnity insurance and if the mortgage companies will accept.

I don't think the council is being deliberately difficult here - they got held to cyber ransom and have clearly refused to pay the ransom. Similar thing happened to Redcar council

Ask if your buyers have looked into that

Just seem strange they could put a date or end of March on it even from the beginning! Maybe they’re just managing peoples expectations re the stamp duty freeze.
Please let me know how your indemnity insurance goes @MojoMoon. We have mentioned this to our buyers and they are looking into it.